County Offices

Two tomato workshops scheduled in February

Posted 1/22/2014

Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Helen Brown will teach a two, one hour classes titled “Time for Tomatoes!” in February. The first will be on February 15 at the Clark County Center for Sustainable Urban Food Production, 4600 Horse Road, NLV. This class begins at 9 a.m. A $5 donation is requested.

The second will be held on February 20 at the University Medical Center’s Family Resource Center (1120 Shadow Lane) beginning at 10 a.m. This workshop requires a preregistration. To reserve a space at this workshop, contact Amy Runge at the Family Resource Center at 702-383-2229.

Brown, a Master Gardener since 1997, is a local expert on growing vegetables—especially tomatoes and vine crops. Las Vegas has two tomato seasons—spring and early summer and fall and early winter. Now is the perfect time to start tomato seeds indoors and get a bountiful first crop before the summer temperatures stop production.

Brown, along with over 300 active Master Gardeners, is a University-trained community volunteer who shares her knowledge and desert gardening skills via community projects. Master Gardeners are experienced in successfully growing plants in the harsh (hot, dry, windy) climate of the Mojave Desert. This is an environment unfamiliar to many newcomers. By teaching what to plant and how to properly care for their landscapes or gardens, the Master Gardeners save people money — on water, soil amendments, plant materials, etc.

Since 1992 over 1,200 community members have taken the Master Gardener horticulture training course with the understanding that they are not to keep this information to themselves—that they will become the University’s unpaid ambassadors and share the science of good desert gardening with others.

For gardening questions, email or call the Master Gardener Help Desk at 702-257-5555. For gardening information and upcoming classes visit the Master Gardener Facebook page.